October Reflection...

After taking some time to file through pictures I've taken in the last year (in preparation for a new "Best of 2010" scrapbook for Jon and I), I realized how intense the month of October was this year...

After a devastating start with the passing of my step-sister Krista and her newborn baby girl, I definitely began the month with a new perspective...savoring every second with my family and friends...hugging my husband just a little tighter...taking just one extra moment to tell someone I love them... simply looking at life a bit differently.

In the following weeks, I spent time going to birthday parties, a 40th wedding anniversary for my amazing and inspiring in-laws, going to the pumpkin patch with my sister, her hubby and their newborn baby boy (Ben!), and being blessed by two beautiful baby showers and a 30th birthday party thrown by amazing family and friends.

Although it was a month filled with tragedy, it was also filled with hope. Thank you to all of you who filled my October with so many precious moments and memories.

Here are a couple of pics from October...

 The Pumpkin Patch

 Ron, Courtney and my new nephew, Ben!

 Congrats to you Mr. and Mrs. Moen! Happy 40th wedding anniversary!

 The Big 3-0! How did I get this old???

A sweet shower thrown by amazing teacher friends in the school library!

Back to Life, Back to Reality...

Okay, I'm not sure how many of you out there are reading my crazy little blog, or how many of you were born in the 80's, but if you were, you might remember that song..."Baaaaack to life, back to re-al-i-ty." Well, sometimes that is what the fall feels like for me. Yes, it's back to school time once again...I can't believe it's already my eighth year! Insane!

As you can tell, time gets away from me during this time of year and somehow I become all consumed with teaching, but as I can attest to in every single season of my life, God is always quietly in the background teaching me... using my circumstances to turn my face right back toward His and helping me to set my priorities straight.

So, as my pregnancy has progressed I've become quite well aquainted with a little thing called Braxton Hicks contractions. Not only that, I've become very familiar with backaches, dehydration, and well, pure and utter exhaustion. This is indeed what pregnancy is all about... it's beautiful, it's incredible...and don't get me wrong I feel soooooo blessed to be a mommy, but I'll tell ya, there is nothing like it. It is a humbling experience.

I was just telling Jon the other morning, my body is truly not my own. When I said it outloud I was almost shocked at my own revalation. "My body is not my own." What an amazing opportunity to be reminded that my life and my body are not my own. It is being used for something greater than myself.

It's so interesting how something so simple can bring you to your knees and turn your head right back up to Jesus. Just as Christ gave up his life for me, I am able to have just the slightest (I mean slightest!) glimpse of what he did when he sacrificed his life for me.

This season in my life has not been physically comfortable or easy, but I know it is a small sacrifice for something so great. Something bigger than me...something God designed.

Almost 28 weeks!

Quote of the day from the future daddy...

So, I absolutely love it when Jon leans down to my (quickly growing) belly and talks and sings to our little Micah. Now that I can feel his little kicks and bumps I get really excited to share what I'm feeling with Jon. I do my best to have him squish my belly - just a little - in hopes that our little guy will give his daddy a little fist bump.

So tonight I took Jon's hand and was attempting to have him feel the baby's head. Then out of the blue Jon says, "...but I don't want to squish him too much...he's not any bigger than a large steak!"

I'm guessing the "large steak" comparison came from learning Micah's weight (14-15oz.) at the doctor's office last Friday.

I love that my husband makes me laugh. I'm still giggling to myself.

On my way to 21 weeks! Over halfway!